Auburn, NY - Led by a pair of go-ahead runs in the seventh and filthy bullpen work from Christian Garcia and Aaron Barrett, the Auburn Doubledays took the series opener against the Aberdeen IronBirds, 4-2, in front of 1,210 fans at Falcon Park on Wednesday night.

After enjoying a three day All-Star Break, in which Auburn was given an extra day after Sunday’s rainout in Staten Island, the Doubledays used an old fashioned pitchers’ duel to defeat the league’s worst team.
With the win, the Doubledays stayed one game up on Mahoning Valley and Williamsport, who each won their contests on Wednesday night.

Christian Meza got the start for Auburn on Wednesday, and he didn’t disappoint. In five innings of work, Meza gave up just two runs on four hits, striking out three and walking one.

His relievers were just as good.

In two innings, Christian Garcia got each out courtesy a strikeout, punching out six and giving up just one hit. Aaron Barrett struck out four in his two hitless and scoreless innings, preserving what turned out to be an Auburn Doubledays win.

Offensively, the Doubledays were held in check until the fifth, when they scored their first run on an RBI single by Caleb Ramsey. Matt Skole tied the game in the sixth, when he scored from third on a sacrifice fly by Russell Moldenhauer.

Auburn took the lead for good in the seventh, when they sent eight men to the plate, scoring one run on a base-hit by Bryce Ortega and the other run on a throwing error by Ironbirds’ right fielder, Kyle Hoppy.
The Doubledays led 4-2 entering the eighth, and Aaron Barrett held the IronBirds’ hitless in the final two innings, preserving a two-run win.

Auburn returns to action tomorrow night against Aberdeen in a 7:05pm first pitch at Falcon Park. Thursday night is ‘Dollar Thursday’ night at Falcon Park, where fans can purchase a 12 oz. soda, 12 oz. beer, hot dogs, and peanuts for one dollar apiece. For tickets, please visit www.auburndoubledays.com.